Outlet valve for dishwasher pump



Feb. 6, 1968 T. E JENKINS 3,367,368

OUTLET VALVE FOR DISHWASHER PUMP Filed May 12, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet IL J f v J /to )3 I H/ H r1 l'l n n n n n n/n n n H II II II II ll I ll //.5 17 u null II II [I ll [I II II II II II H 14 n n n n/ n n IQ 3 3 I INVENTOR THOMAS E. TENKINS H \5 ATTORNEY Feb. 6, 1968 T. E. JENKINS 3,357,368

OUTLET VALVE FOR DISHWASHER PUMP Filed May 12, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR S E. TE. KINS BY THOMA N TT R EY United States Patent Ofiiice Patented Feb. 6, 1968 3,367,368 OUTLET VALVE FOR DISHWASHER PUMP Thomas E. Jenkins, Louisville, Ky., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Filed May 12, 1966, Ser. No. 549,675 7 Claims. (Cl. 137625.44)

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLQSURE A valve for controlling the flow of pressurized fluid through an outlet in a pump housing. The valve includes a valve element pivoted to the housing adjacent the outlet for movement within the housing between a first position opening the outlet and a second position closing the outlet. Biasing means including a first spring normally bias the valve element toward the first position. Means comprising a short-travel solenoid move the valve element part of the way from the first toward the second position. Fluid flow through the housing moves the valve element the rest of the way to the second position. Energy storing means including a second spring energized by movement of the valve element from the first toward the second position are also provided to assist the biasing means in returning the valve element from the second to the first position upon termination of fluid flow through the housing.

This invention relates generally to a pump mechanism particularly adapted for use in an automatic dishwasher and, more specifically, to an outlet valve for such pump mechanism.

An automatic dishwasher conventionally has a complete cycle of operation which includes several admissions of water, each of which is followed by a Wash or rinse operation wherein the water is recirculated through a wash chamber. After a suitable length of time, the recirculation is terminated and the water is discharged from the dishwasher into the household sewer system. Both the recirculation and the discharge of the water requires the use of a pump. In some dishwashers two separate pumps, each driven by its own motor, are used, one for recirculation and the other for discharge. Other dishwashers provide two separate pumps, both driven by the same motor with the most common arrangement involving an electrically-reversible motor wherein the recirculation pump is effective in one direction of rotation and the discharge pump is effective in the other direction of rotation. Although the latter arrangement is more economical than the former since it omits the second motor, it is still more expensive than the arrangement contemplated by a the present invention since it still necessitates two separate pumps and, additionally, an electrically-reversible motor is obviously more expensive than a single directional motor.

The present invention contemplates a single pump to function as both a recirculation pump and a discharge pump but still requiring operation in only one direction of rotation. Thus the arrangement contemplated involves only a single pump and a single motor. This dual function pump is achieved by providing two outlets with a valve mechanism to control flow through the outlets. The disadvantage heretofore in such arrangement is that the cost of the valve mechanism often substantially offset the savings realized by employing a single pump, single motor system. The present invention provides an improved valve mechanism which is reliable in operation but relatively inexpensive to manufacture thus retaining all of the advantages of a single pump, single motor system without the heretofore attendant disadvantageous cost aspects of the necessary valve mechanism.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved outlet valve arrangement for a diswasher pump.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved outlet valve arrangement for a dishwasher pump having two outlets.

Briefly stated, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided in combination a housing having an outlet to allow fluid under pressure to egress from the housing. A valve element is provided to selectively open and close the outlet. There are means provided to normally bias the valve element toward a first position wherein the valve element opens the outlet. Means arealso provided to move the valve element toward a second position wherein the valve element closes the outlet. Energy storing means are provided and are energized by movement of the valve element into its second position to initially move the valve element from its second position toward its first position when the pressure of the fluid within the housing drops below a predetermined value.

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as the invention, it is believed the invention will be better understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view, partially cut away to show details, of an automatic dishwasher employin the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary view, partially cut away to show details, of the pump and valve arrangement employed in the dishwasher of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a view of the present invention with the valve in the position shown in solid lines in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary view similar to FIGURE 3 but showing the invention with the valve in an intermediate position; and

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary view similar to FIGURE 4 but showing the invention with the valve in yet another position.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGURE 1 thereof, there is illustrated an automatic dishwasher 10 having an outer cabinet 11 defining therein a wash chamber 12. Disposed within wash chamber 12 are dish supporting racks 13 and 14 which are adapted to receive and support dishes or other articles to be washed within wash chamber 12. A closure member 15 is provided in one wall of cabinet 11, pivotal about a hinge means 16, to provide access to the wash chamber 12. When closure member 15 is pivoted downwardly, rack 13 can be at least partially withdrawn from wash chamber 12 by means of a slide and roller system 17 provided at each side of rack 13 and slidably supporting rack 13 from the inner wall of cabinet 11. Similarly, rack 14 can be at least partially withdrawn from wash chamber 12 by means of a roller 18 which rides upon a surface 19 provided at each side of cabinet 11.

The lower extremity of Wash chamber 12 is defined by a bottom wall 20 which gradually slopes to a low point 21 near the center of the dishwasher. Disposed below the low point 21 is a sump 22 which may be formed integrally with bottom wall 20 or which may be a separate element secured to bottom wall 20. Projecting upwardly from bottom wall 20 near the center of wash chamber 12 is a pedestal 23 which rotatably supports a reaction type spray device 24. Spray device 24 has a plurality of orifices 25 through which wash fluid is ejected to effectuate a wash action upon articles supported by racks 13 and 14. At least one of the orifices 25 is directed such that the 8 reaction force created by wash fluid passing therethrough causes rotation of spray device 24.

Wash fluid is propelled into spray device 24 by a motorpump assembly 26 which includes an electric motor 27 and a pump 28. A flexible boot or conduit 29 interconnects sump 22 with the inlet of pump 28. Boot 29 is secured to sump 22 by means of a clamp 30 and is secured to pump 28 similarly by means of a clamp 31. Motorpump assembly 26 is suitably supported from bottom wall 20.

Referring now to FIGURES 2-5, it can be seen that pump 28 has a housing defining as inlet 32 which receives fluid from conduit 29. Disposed within housing 28 is an impeller (not shown) mounted for rotation to pump fluid through the housing. A first outlet 33 interconnects pump 28 with spray device 24 while a second outlet 34 interconnects pump 28 with a sewer system (not shown). Thus, water, or other liquid, entering pump 28 through inlet 32 will be pumped either into spray device 24 through outlet 33 or discharged from the dishwasher 10 through outlet 34. The present invention is primarily concerned with the outlet valve mechanism to selectively control through which of the outlets 33 or 34 the fluid will egress from pump 28.

The valve mechanism of the present invention includes a valve element 35 pivotally caried by the housing of pump 28. Valve element 35 comprises a first sealing member 36 which, when valve element 35 is properly oriented, closes outlet 33 and a second sealing member 37 which, when valve element 35 is properly oriented, closes outlet 34. Sealing members 36 and 37 are carried by a pivotal arm 38 which, in turn, is pivotally carried by the housing of pump 28. Arm 38 has a 90 bend in it adjacent its connection to the housing of pump 28. Arm 38 extends through the housing and terminates, as shown in FIG- URES 3-5, at a pivotal plate 39. Plate 39 is rigidly secured to arm 38 by means of a clip 40 sothat plate 39 and arm 38 move as a unit. Plate 39 is provided with a slot 41 which receives a link 42.

An electrically-operated solenoid 43, having a stator 44 and an armature 45, is mechanically connected to link 42 so that movement of armature 45 results in movement of link 42. Electrical terminals 46 are provided so that solenoid 43 may be electrically connected to a suitable power source (not shown). Plate 39 has an extension 47 connected to one end of a spring 48. The other end of spring 48 is secured to the rigid support upon which solenoid 43 is mounted. Thus, when solenoid 43 is energized and armature 45 pivots plate 39 to move valve element 35, spring 48 is elongated and serves to bias the assembly in the opposite direction so that when solenoid 43 is deenergized, armature 45 will be withdrawn from stator 44.

With the aforedescribed arrangement, spring 48 maintains, through plate 39 and arm 38, sealing member 37 in engagement with outlet 34 so that outlet 34 is closed. If pump 28 is energized under these conditions, water will be pumped out through outlet 33 thereby creating recirculation of the water through spray device 24 and returning to pump 28 through conduit 29. This condition of the arrangement is illustrated in FIGURE 3 and in solid lines in FIGURE 2. When it is desired to discharge the water from dishwasher 10, solenoid 43 is energized which results in the arrangement assuming the position illustrated in FIGURE 4 and the intermediate position in dashed lines in FIGURE 2. Because pump 28 is creating a pressure, as well as a dynamic flow of fluid out through outlet 33, when the arrangement reaches the condition of FIGURE 4, the forces created by the pressure and flow of fluid will carry valve element 35 into the position illustrated in FIGURE 5 which results in sealing member 36 closing outlet 33 (also shown in dashed lines in FIG- URE 2). This latter position will be maintained as long as pressure is maintained within pump 28. As soon as all the water is discharged through outlet 34, the pressure within pump 28 will drop off and no longer serve to maintain sealing member 36 in a position wherein it closes outlet 33.

Under ideal conditions, spring 48 will return valve element 35 into the position wherein sealing member 37 closes outlet 34; however, under normal conditions of use there is a residual pressure present within pump 28 after all the water has been discharged such that spring 48 cannot break sealing member 36 away from outlet 33. This could be overcome by increasing the force of spring 48; however, this would in turn necessitate a larger and more expensive solenoid 43 since solenoid 43 must stretch spring 48 as it moves plate 39 from the position illustrated in FIGURE 3 to the position illustrated in FIGURE 4. The present invention contemplates an energy storing means which will effectuate an initial breakaway of sealing member 36 from outlet 33. This energy storing means includes a pivotal plate 49 which has lugs 50 (FIGURE 2) extending through the member which supports solenoid 43 so that plate 49 is pivotal with respect thereto. A spring 51 is attached, at one end to the distal end of plate 49 and at the other end to a projection 52 rigid with stator 44 of solenoid 43. As can be seen in FIGURE 5, as plate 39 pivots into the position it assumes when sealing member 36 closes outlet 33, it engages plate 49 and pivots it in a manner whereby spring 51 is elongated. Thus, when the pressure within pump 28 drops, both spring 48 and spring 51 exert an initial force upon plate 39 to pivot valve element 35 toward its normal position wherein outlet 34 is closed.

The present invention allows the use of a relatively inexpensive solenoid since, on the other hand, only a short travel solenoid is required due to the fact that the flow of fluid moves the valve element throughout a substantial portion of its travel and, on the other hand, a relatively weak solenoid may be employed since the solenoid must overcome only the spring force created by spring 48 during the time that it is moving valve element 35.

As will be evident from the foregoing description, cer tain aspects of the invention are not limited to the particular details of construction of the example illustrated, and it is contemplated that various other modifications or applications will occur to those skilled in the art. It is therefore intended that the appended claims shall cover such modifications and applications as do not depart from the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In combination:

(a) a pump housing,

(b) an outlet in said housing to allow fluid under pressure to egress from said housing,

(c) a valve element to selectively open and close said outlet,

(d) biasing means normally biasing said valve element toward a first position wherein said valve element opens said outlet,

(e) means to move said valve element toward a second position wherein said valve element closes said outlet, and

(f) energy storing means other than said biasing means energized by movement of said valve element into said second position to initially move said valve element from said second position toward said first position.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said means to move said valve element comprises an electricallyoperated solenoid and a member with an elongated slot whereby said solenoid moves said valve element only part of the distance toward said second position and said elongated slot allows said valve element to travel therebeyond fully to said second position without further movement of said solenoid.

3. The invention of claim 1 further comprising a second outlet in said housing adjacent to said first-mentioned outlet, said valve element closing said second outlet when in its said first position.

4. The invention of claim 1 wherein said energy storing means comprises a pivotal plate spring-biased to a first position and said valve element has associated therewith a member movable with said valve element to engage and move said pivotal plate against its spring bias as said valve element moves fully into its said second position.

5. The invention of claim 1 wherein said valve element is positioned relative to the flow of fluid through said housing so that the fluid urges said valve element fully into said second position.

6. The invention of claim 5 wherein said energy storing means and said means normally biasing said valve element toward said first position have a combined total force insuflicient to overcome the force applied against said valve element by the fluid passing through said housing and said combined total force is suflicient to move said valve element toward said first position upon termination of fluid flow through said housing.

7. In a pump for use in an automatic dishwasher:

(a) a pump housing,

(b) a first outlet in said housing,

(0) a second outlet in said housing,

(d) said first outlet and said second outlet being located adjacent to each other,

(e) a valve element pivotal between a first position wherein it closes said first outlet and a second position wherein it closes said second outlet,

(f) a first spring normally biasing said valve element toward said first position,

(g) an electrically-operated solenoid to move said valve element part of the way to said second position from said first position,

(h) said first outlet being positioned relative to the flow of fluid through said housing so that the fluid tends to urge said valve element fully into said second position,

(i) a pivotal plate,

(j) a second spring to bias said pivotal plate toward a first position, and

(k) a member secured to said valve element and adapted to engage and pivot said pivotal plate as said valve element moves into its said second position,

(1) said second spring being of sufiicient strength to move said valve element away from its said second position upon termination of the flow of fluid through said housing.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,649,242 8/ 1953 Payne 23 0-1 14 2,665,088 1/1954 Lobelle 137-625.44 X 2,864,312 12/1958 Shelton et a1 1032 X 2,874,929 2/1959 Klingler 137625.44 X 2,912,012 11/ 1959 Klingler 137-625.44 3,013,582 12/1961 Eibe 137-625.44 3,089,515 5/1963 Bochan 137610 3,125,959 3/1964 Stoddard et a1. 103-2 DONLEY J. STOCKING, Primary Examiner.

W. J. KRAUSS, Assistant Examiner. 

